Buzzing the Charles de Gaulle on our request, how cool is that? The Hawkeye was on near deck level when he passed us. This E-2C was delivered to the Aeronavale on 10 February 2004.

Burning fuel over the carrier, this Rafale M made some full after burner turns over the Charles de Gaulle before landing. Sometimes this is necessary to reduce the landing weight. Serial 28 was delivered to the Aeronavale in late 2009.

Just after touch-down on the very hot deck of the Charles de Gaulle, this Super Etendard is directed to a parkling spot. Serial 57 is preserved at Lanveoc Poulmic since April 2015.

Serial 12 os moving to the catapult. From 2018, this SEM is in use as an instructional airframe at AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine, Latresne (France).

Delivered in March 2008 to the Aeronavale.

Serial 12 about the grab the arresting cable. From 2018, this SEM is in use as an instructional airframe at AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine, Latresne (France).

The French yellow short shooter launches a Super Etendard from the waist catapult. Clearly visible is the bridle, the cable that attaches the aircraft to the catap. Also clearly visible is the Damocles targeting pod (equipped with a FLIR system) underneath the fuselage. Since 2018, this Super Etendard is in use as an instructional airframe at Hyeres Le Palyvestre.

Rafale M showing two types of air-to-air missiles. On the wingtip an IR MICA, which is equipped with passive imaging infra-red homing seeker, is attached. Underneath the wing a RF MICA is seen, which is equipped with an active radar homing seeker. Both MICA types are able to intercept their taget beyond visual range (BVR) of the launch aircraft. MICA is an abbrivation of Missile d'Interception, de Combat et d'Auto-défense (in english: "Interception, Combat and Self-protection Missile") and were commisioned on the Rafale from 1996.

Three long range fuel tanks, two IR MICA air to air missile and one tailhook. Serial 30 was delivered to the Aeronavale in May 2010. The aircraft served on and off with operational squadrons (Flotille) 11F and 12F and the Centre d'expérimentations pratiques et de réception de l'aéronautique navale (CEPA, this unit is charge of reception, validation and procedures development for the French Navy).

After its military career, serial 57 was preserved at Lanveoc Poulmic (France) from April 2015.

Serial 28 was delivered to the Aeronavale in late 2009. The aircraft is here equipped with a Safran aerial refueling pod underneath the fuselage.

Plane guard duty during Charles de Gaulle carrier activities by an Alouette III. The helicopter type was phased out from active Marine Nationale service in the Summer of 2022 and was officially retired from on 9 December 2022.

Catching the cable and bouncing off the deck with its main gear, what a spectacle it is! Serial 51 is sold to Argentina in January 2018 and left France in April 2019. The SEM received a new four digit serial and became code 3A-215, 216, 217, 218 or 219. The tie-up is not known. The aircraft is now stored at Comandante Espora (EA32) and did not see operational service from Argentina soil so far.

Resting in between missions on the deck of the Charles de Gaulle while sailing through the Med (with Sicily in the back ground), this Super Etendard is since June 2017 in use as an instructional airframe at Chambley (France).

Serial 51 is sold to Argentina in January 2018 and left France in April 2019. Close to 50 Super Etendard Modernisé's (SEM) were delivered to the Marine Nationale. The SEM is based on the Super Étendard, which is based on the Étendard IVM. The Super Etendard Modernisé was constantly upgraded by the French Navy through its life. It was used for anti-ship, strike, reconnaissance and nuclear strike missions. Here, serial 51 is launched from the R91, its bridle (the cable that attaches the Etendard to the steam catapult) is just dropped after launch in the sea (one bridle is used for each launch!).

Delivered to the French Navy in December 2007, and seen here just after launch over the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily.

Full AB on the waist catapult

This Rafale M was delivered to the Marine Nationale, Aeronavale or Aéronautique Navale on 8 February 2012. It is seen here being directed to the bow catapult of the Charles de Gaulle.

Since 2018, this Super Etendard is in use as an instructional airframe at Hyeres Le Palyvestre. The aircraft is seen here being directed to the catapult of the Charles de Gaulle.